Electromechanized actuating means in wire printing machines



A. KNUTSEN 2,869,455

Jan. 20, 1959 K.

ELECTROMECHANIZED ACTUATING MEANS IN WIRE PRINTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1956 P71 PT3 Pm Prz PM ur uz us U4 U5 L16 Filed Dec. 12, 1956 Jan. 20, 1959 I K KNUTSEN 2,869,455

ELECTROMECHANIZED ACTUATING MEANS IN WIRE PRINTING MACHINES Fig. 3A

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 20, 1959 K. A. KNUTSEN 2,869,455

ELECTROMECHANIZED ACTUATING MEANS IN WIRE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 12, 1956 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 35

-a R 3-2b RZjib R1326 R0-2-b,R11-Zb 0' 33 2a IVE- 2a 111 .251 nZ-za. 371 2:

Jan. 20, 1959 K. A. KNUTSEN 2,859,455

ELECTROMECHANIZED ACTUATING MEANS IN WIRE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 12, 1956 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 4 I 9 s v c s 1 101mm C20 C21 C22 C33 I -CAR l C ANAL l Fig.5

Jan. 20; 1959 K. A. KNUTSEN 2,869,455

ELECTROMECHANIZED ACTUATING MEANS IN WIRE- PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 SP1 AI/MPi-AZ A3 A4 A5 a United Stats ELEcrRoMEcnANrzsi) ACTUATING MEANS IN WIRE PRINTING MACHINES Knut Andreas Knutsen, Paris, France, assignor to Compagnie des Machines Bull, Paris, France, a French This invention relates to printing machines for printing characters or signs each formed of appropriately disposed dots or dashes.

it has already been proposed to use for printing each character or sign, a set of metal wires comprising, for example, thirty-five wires disposed in a number of juxtaposed rows, one end of each wire being normally aligned with one end of each of the other wires in a plane adjacent and parallel to the plane of a sheet of record paper, and to actuate selectively and simultaneously by appropriate means certain of these wires by longitudinally displacing them in such manner that one end of each of the selected Wires is caused to strike, through a carbon paper or an inking ribbon, against the paper sheet or other appropriate support. 9

Such printing devices are disclosed, for example, in German patent specification No. 523,698 of the 28th October, 1927, and in United States Patent specification No. 2,129,065, of the 6th September, 1938.

it has also been proposed to print each character or sign by means of a small number of printing wires or striking levers, for example five, disposed in a row and to actuate selectively by appropriate means one or more of the said wires or levers to print on the paper one or more dots disposed along a line and to repeat the operation, for example, seven times in succession, for printing in successive rows, dots forming 'each character, the wires or levers actuated being selected in each instance, and the paper being advanced through a predetermined distance for each printing operation. Such printing devices are known, for example, from French patent specification No. 790,062, of the' 6th January, 1934, and from United States patent specification No. 2,694,362, of the 16th November, 1954.

In printing machines in'which each character is printed by the selection and simultaneous actuation of Wires disposed in a number of rows for each character, the means for guiding and the means for selectively actuating the printing wires are complex and of costly construction. Machines in which the printing of each character is effected by the repeated and selective action of wire or striking levers disposed in a row are of simpler construc- 'tion than the aforesaid machines, but they are often of much higher cost than machines operating with toothed racks or character Wheels, which are very Widely used.

In the known electromechanical machines for printing by dots or dashes and comprising only a single row of printing members for each character, difficulties arise, by reason of the multiplicity of the circuits and contacts by which the electric current for actuating the printing members is transmitted, in making or modifying detachable connections which permit of distributing in a prede ermined manner the printing columns for which the printing members are to be actuated for a predetermined arrangement of the impression.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine for printing characters by dots which comprises, fo r atent O P Patented Jan. 29, 5959 of circuits and contacts for controlling the transmission,

to the said printing members of impulses controlling the printing of a predetermined character. Another object of the invention is concerned with means by which the impulses produced by a predetermined impulse generator to control the printing of a predetermined character or sign by means of one or more couple-d printing devices printing the same character or sign are transmitted to the members for actuating the printing members of said printing devices by a circuit controlled by a single contact. In the proposed arrangements, the use of currents of different frequencies superimposed in a single path and then selected, as mentioned in the aforesaid French patent specification No. 790,062, has been avoided.

Accordin ly the invention provides, a printing machine operated in cycles for the printing of a character by printing dots or dashes forming parts of the character comprising for the printing of a character a series of printing members, each printing member adapted to be actuated by a corresponding actuating member of a series of actuating members, said series of actuating members being connectable to one or a plurality of elements of an emitter, each emitter element being adapted to emit from a source of electricity for each cycle of the machine a plurality of impulses corresponding to the printing of a determined character and in which a plurality of actuating members of said series of actuating members (A1 A5) are on one hand connected together and connectable througha common selectively operated contact (Rlhdb, R0 8b, to one of said emitter elements (G. A., G. B., and are on the other hand connected individually each to a different contact (C1, C2, of a commutator (D8) which during a machine cycle in a determined order of succession individually connects, through said commutator contacts, each of said actuating members to the otherpole of said source. In a printing machine designed in accordance with the invention, each character is printed by dots 'by the selective and repeated actuation of printing members disposed in a single row, the said members being actuated under the control of electric current impulses supplied by an impulse generator selected in accordance with the shape of the character or sign to be printed by the said members. The current impulses produced by a given generator for printing a predetermined character or sign are transmitted to the actuating members of the printing members of one or more printing devices each for printing a character through a character-selecting device which establishes, if desired under the control of a device for decoding data supplied in a coded form by record cards or strips, a single path or circuit controlling the transmission of the said impulses to the said printing devices. Each of the impulses transmitted successively by an emitter for forming a predetermined character or sign by printing in the form of dots is simultaneously applied to all of the circuits of the actuating members for actuat ing the printing members of a common printing device. The circuits for actuating the actuating members of said. printing members are normally interrupted by open contacts which are successively closed in a predetermined order by means of a commutator device, so that the impulses transmitted by said emitter to the circuits of the actuating members actuating the printing members of a common printing device are rendered operative on the said actuating members of said printing members in a predetermined order of succession.

In a dot printing machine designed in accordance with the invention, the same commutator device can simultaneously control the circuits of the actuating members ing devices or even control the circuits of the actuating members actuating the printing members of all the printing devices of the machine.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings,

.which show diagrammatically and by way of example,

elements of a machine embodying the characteristic means of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the circuits established between members for controlling the printing,

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the printing members of a number of printing devices,

Figures 3A and 3B together show the diagram of a relay decoding device,

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the closing of certain contacts of the diagrams of Figures 1, 3A and 3B,

Figure 5 shows a part of a record card bearing data recorded in the form of coded perforations,

Figure 6 shows schematically in perspective the arrangement of the parts of two printing devices,

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the arrangement of the printing members in a printing machine, and

Figure 8 is a section, seen according to the direction of the arrows of Figure 7 which shows the arrangement of the printing devices on both sides of the printing line.

In the diagram illustrated in Figure 1, the printing devices IMP-1 and IMP-2 of a machine which may comprise a large number of such devices are each provided with electromagnets A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 designed each to actuate a dot printing member under the control of electric impulses.

The electric impulses are supplied to the said electromagnets by an impulse generator assembly G, in which the current impulses for the formation of each character or sign are produced by a particular contact disc. The contact discs GA, GB, GC, GD G5, G6 are keyed on a shaft AR which turns at the rate of one revolution per machine cycle. The duration of a machine cycle is divided intofifteen equal parts, called cycle points and designated in their order of succession in time by the numbers 98-7-6-54-321-0-11-1213-14 and 15.

Each contact disc consists of conductive material and is formed along its periphery with recesses and projections suitably positioned to make contact with a contact brush at predetermined instants in the cycle of the machine. In Figure 1, the contact disc GA is shown divided into fifteen sections bearing respectively the numbers of the cycle points during which they travel past thecontact brush BA. Each section of the disc is shown divided into five equal portions formed with a recess or projection depending upon whether this portion of the contact disc is or is not to make contact with the brush BA for the transmission of an impulse. The contact brushes BB, BC, BD are arranged to make contact respectively with the projections of the contact discs GB, GC, GD and when the discs are in rotation and placed under voltage, there are obtained at each of these brushes current impulses capable of controlling the printing of predetermined characters or signs under conditions which will hereinafter be specified.

The impulses produced by the contact discs are transmitted to character-selecting devices SC1, SC2, through transmission lines TA, TB, TC, Each character-selecting device comprises a collecting line LCl, LC2, which is connected to each transmission line TA, TB, TC, TD, through contacts R11-8b, Rli-Sb, Rl-Sb, R2-8b, R3-8b, R52b, R62b,

which are normally open. Each contact can be selectively closed under the control of, for example, the decoding relay device, the circuit diagram of which is shown in Figures 3A and 33. Each collecting line LC1-LC2 is connected by detachable plug connections to one or more printing devices IMP-1, IMP-2, The actuating electromagnets Al, A2, A3, A4, A5 of each printing device are electrically connected, on the one hand, to an incoming line LAl, LA2, and are each respectively-connected, on the other hand, to a return line LRl, LR2, LR3, LR4 or LRS through a rectifier element RD which prevents return currents from circulating between the electromagnets of ditferent printing devices. Each electromagnet A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 of aprinting device actu'ates, when energised, a printing member F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5, in the form of a wire or striklng lever, the printing position of which is shown in Figure 2.-

The printing members of each printing device are successively actuated, while the sheet which receives the impression is moved relative to the said members in the direction of the arrow F (Figure 2) during the printing. The printing members of each printing device are so disposed in relation to one another as to permit the printing of dots disposed along a straight line, account being taken of the movement of the paper and of the order in which the said members are actuated during the printing. In Figure 2, the printing members are actuated successively in the order in which they are arranged, and they are therefore disposed in oblique rows in order to compensate for the movement of the sheet during the printing of a row of dots.

The return lines LRl, LR2, LR3, LR4 and LRS of the electromagnets actuating the printing devices are (Figure 1) connected respectively to the contact segments C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 of a rotary multiple switch DS.

The said switch could in another form of construction consist of normally open cam contacts which are successively opened and closed in a predetermined order as indicated in the diagram of Figure 4. A common multiple switch may control the return circuits of the electromagnets of all the printing devices of he machine.

In Figure 6 the printing members and the actuating members of the printing devices IMP-1 and IMP-2 are arranged alternately on both sides of theprinting line,

as shown in details on Figure 8.

The printing members F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 are printing metal wires, each respectively solid with an actuating member which is constituted of the moving armature PM of an electromagnet. The electromagnets A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 of a printing device are mounted on a bar SP1, for the device IMP-1, and on a bar SP2, for the device IMP-2 (Fig. 7).

The printing wires of each printing device are guided in a slot FT which is made in a guide-bar BG, in which they are arranged, as shown in Figure 2.

The bars SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 are fastened on crossbars BTl, BT2, BT3, BT4 (Figs. 7 and 8) which are solid with the frame (not represented) of the machine.

A paper sheet or strip (Figs. 6 and 7) which receives the printing is driven during said printing with a con tinuous movement in the direction of the arrow F (Figs. 2, 6, 7) by feed-rollers RBI and RE2 (Figs. 6 and 7) which are driven by a driving mechanism. Brake-shoes PFl and PF2 maintain the paper sheet FP which is stretched against a printing roller RI. An inking ribbon RE is stretched and slowly advanced between the paper sheet PP and the end EX of the printing members. It is evident that duplicates may be obtained by superposition of several paper sheets or strips between which sheets of carbon paper are inserted in a well known manner.

The excitation circuits of the electromagnets A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 of the printing device IMP-1 (Fig. 6) are connected, on the one hand, to the return lines LRl, LR2, LR3, LR4 and LRS through the rectifier elements RD and, on the other hand, to the collecting line LCl through a connection CF, as shown on the diagram of Figure 1.

Operation of the printing device The contact discs, the cam contact C22 and the multiple switch D5 are shown in Figure 1 in the position which they occupy at the beginning of the point 7 of the cycle. This position corresponds to the instant allocated to the printing of the first dot of the last row of dots forming means the characters printed one line, assuming that the other rows of dots forming thesaid characters have already been printed.

For the explanation of the operation, reference will be made to the end of point 11 of the cycle which precedes the commencement of theprinting of the characters.

In the character-selecting"device SCI (Figure l) the contact Rll8b controlling the printing of the'jletter A is shown closed for the printing of thisletter and, .in the character-selecting device 5C2, thecontact R-8b which is shown closed controls the printingof the letter B. The closing of each of the contactsflRlLSb and R0-8b may be controlled as already stated by the decoding relay device illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, which will hereinafter be described. A

After the end of the point 11 of the cycle, the cam contact C22, which turns synchronously with the shaft AR at the rate of one revolution per cycle, closes. At the beginning of the point 12, therotary brush R of the multiple switch DS is in contact with the segment C1, but the brush BA of the contact disc CA which is opposite a recess SAt) in the disc, does not make contact with the latter. No current flows and the printing line L11 of the first row of dots of the characters on the recording sheet (Figure 2) which is at this instant opposite theprinting member F1 receives no impression.

During the second part of the point-l2 of the cycle, the projectionSAl of the disc GA- (Figure l) is in contact with the brush BA. A circuit is then established as follows: -I- pole of the electric current source feeding the machine, closed cam contact C22, shaft AR, contact disc GA, projection SAll, contact brush BA, line TA, closed contact Ell-8b, collecting line LCl, plug connection CF, incoming line LAl of the printing device IMF-1, electromagnet A2, return line LRZ, contact'segment C2 of the multiple switch 'DS, rotary brush R, pole of the current source. The printing member FZ-(Figure 2) which is at this instant on the line Lll is actuated by the electromagnet A2 and-prints the dot PTll. The dots PT2 and PT3 are then printed on the same line by the printing members F3 and F4 actuated.respectively'by the'electromagnets A3 and A4 successively energised (Figure l) by the contact of the projections SA2 and SA3 of the contact disc with the brush BA, while the brushR passes over the segments C3 and C4-of the-multiple switch DS. Thesedots are printed (Figure 2) on the horizontal line LIX despite the continuous movement of the paper during the printing, owing to the oblique alignment of the printing members F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5. During the point 13 of the cycle, the projections ofthe contact disc .GA passing underthe brush-BA produce the printing-of the dots F'id and FTS on theline L12.

Other points will beprinte'd respectively on the line L13 and on the following lines under'the control of the projections of the disc, which .will make contact during the following points (15, 9, 8, and 7) of the cycle. "Fig ure Zshows in addition how the letters B and C would be printed.

The contacts Rii ShRti-Wr, Rl-Sb of a character-selecting device of the printing machine illustrated in Figure 1 can be selectively closedeitherlby hand or by means of a keyboard or any other appropriate means. :In the following,.it will be described how the said can .tacts can be controlled by records on record cards or tapes,.for example by perforated cards in which characters or signs may be recorded in coded form. Figure shows part of a record card having in certain columns one or more perforations indicating a letter, a figure or a sign.

Decoding device The decodingrelay device illustrated in Figures 3A andSB is designed to operateunder the control of such record cards bearing data recorded in accordance with the following perforation code. The numbers of the horizontal lines of perforations in the card correspond- "ing to the locations ofthe cycle points during which the lines of perforations are analysed.

The perforations0"and 1"ernployed alone also represent the letters 0 and 1.

Each decoding deviceis controlled by the impulses supplied by a scanning device'which scans thetperforations recorded in a predetermined card column and closes the character-selecting contact -R11-8b, R08b which controls the printing of the character or sign represented by the scanned coded combination.

The record cards CE (Figure 3A) are advanced one by one and in known manner under scanning brushes by means of feed rollers RA. A scanning brush BAL can make contact, through perforations inthe card, with a contact roller RC whichreceives current impulses from a cam contact C10 (Figures 3A and'4). Each of these impulses corresponds to the possible passage of a perforation under a scanning brush. When a perforation passes under the brush BAL, animpulse is transmitted through this perforation to the line LA, which applies the said impulse simultaneously to the windings of all the relays-R941, R81,"R7-1, R61, RS-l, R41, R3-1, R24, 'R1,-R1l1 and RI2-1 (Figures 3A and 3B). These relays are onthe other hand connected through rectifier elements CA to the lines L9, L8, L7, L11,L12 connected to the contacts P9 P8, P7, P6, P11, P12 of a rotary multiple switch DA, the rotary brush BRO of which is connected to the negative pole of the source of current feeding the circuits of the machine. The shaft of the multiple switch DA performs one revolution per machine cycle and the rotary brush BRO passes over the contacts'P9, P8, P7, P11, P12 during the scanning of the lines 9, 8, 7, 6, 1'1 and 12 of therecord columns of each recording card. Under these-conditions, the scanning of a perforation in the position 5 of a record column takes place at the point 5 of the machine cycle and the rotary brush BRO of'the switch DA is at this instant on the contact 5. The voltage applied to the line LA through the perforation 5 scanned is applied to all the relays R94, RB-l, R114, "R124, but a circuit is closed only by the contact F5 for the relay R5 1 which is then energised. Each of these relays closes, when energised, a corresponding contact R9la, Rsla, Rl-la, Rll-la, R1240. These contacts receive'the current through a line LMS to which voltage is applied by the cam contact C20 (Figure 4). For example, the energisation of the relay RS-I produces the closing of the contact RS-la, and this contact temporarily applies voltage to the line LBS through which the relays R53, R55 and R57 and energised. The relay R5-3 closes the contact R5-3a and reverses the contacts R53b and R53c. The relay RS-S closes the contact R5-5a and the relay R5-7 closes the contact R5'7a. The function of the relays R9-2, R8-2 and R72 will be described in the following at the same time as the function of various other relays. The use of the perforation 12 will not be taken into consideration in the following examples, in which the decording of the figures 9 and 4 and of the letter A, which are recorded in the columns 12, 13 and 1-5 of the record card shown partly in Figure 5, will be described.

Decoding and printing of the figure 9 When a perforation 9 passes under the scanning brush EAL, the rotary brush BRO of the multiple switch DA is on the contact P% and a circuit is closed through the relay R94, which is thus energised. This relay closes the contact R9-1a which, on the one hand, places the line L89 under voltage through the rectifier element CB4. The relay R9-2 is energised and closes the contact R9-2a, the closing of which has no effect at this instant, and reverses the contact R9-2b, which establishes a holding circuit on the relay R9-2. The closing of the contact R9-1a on the other hand applies voltage to the line LM3 through the rectifier element CB1 and energises the relay R10, which closes the contacts R1011 and R1017. The closing of the contact R10a has no effect at this instant, and there is established through the contact R10b a circuit which maintains the relay R10 energised through the following circuit: pole of the current source, closed cam contact C20, line LM5, chain of normally closed contacts R11-3c to R6-3c, line LM6, contact R10b, relay R10, line LB21, pole of the current source. At the end of the point 11 in the machine cycle, the cam contact C21 is temporarily closed. If another perforation in the same record column of the card has not been scanned, the relay R10 is maintained energised. A circuit is established through the contact R10a which has been maintained closed, as follows: pole of the current source, line LM4, closed cam contact C21, closed contact R10a, contact R9-2a, relay R9-3, pole of the current source. The energisation of the relay R9-3 closes the contact R9-3a, by which it is maintained energised through the closed cam contact C23, and also closes the contact R9-3b of the character-selecting device. This contact R9-3b will be maintained closed during the points 12 to 7 of the cycle during which the impulses produced by the contact disc controlling the printing of the figure 9 will be transmitted to one or more dot printing devices.

During the printing, the cam contact C20 is opened during the points 13, 14 and 15 of the cycle, thus interrupting the holding of the relay R9-2, which is again made available for recording the result of the scanning of an eventual perforation 9 during the printing.

After the printing, the cam contact C23 opens temporarily and breaks the holding circuit of the relay, which was ho ding a character-selecting contact closed during the printing.

Decoding and printing of the figure 4 its contact R4-7a without effect, since the line LB7 is not under voltage. The energisation of the relay R4-5 closes the contact R4-5a without effect, since the line LE8 also is not under voltage. The energisation of the relay R4-3 closes the contact R4-3a, which is ineffective, reverses the contact R43c, which is also ineffective, and reverses the contact R4-3b. As a result of the reversal of the contact 114-312, the relay R42 is energised by the following circuit: pole, closed cam contact C20, line LMl, chain of contacts R9-2b to R53b normally closed, reversed contact R43b, relay R4-2 and pole of the current source. The energisation of the relay R4-2 closes the contacts R4-2a and R4-2b. By means of the closed contact R4-2a, the relay R4-2 is maintained energised through the cam contact C23. The contact R42b is the character-selecting contact which controls the printing of the figure 4, from the point 12 of the cycle to the point 7 of the following cycle.

Decoding and printing of the letter A As shown in the column 15 of the portion of the card which is illustrated in Figure 5, the letter A is recorded by the coded combination of two perforations, namely one perforation 7 and one perforation 11, which will be successively scanned.

1 The scanning of the perforation 7 energises the relay R71 which closes the contact R7-1a. The closing of this contact, on the one hand, energises through the line LB7 the relay R7-2 which closes the contact R72a and reverses the contact R7-2b, by which the line LB7 is maintained under voltage and the relay R72 maintained energised through the cam contact C20. On the other hand, the closing of the contact R7-1a places under voltage the line LM3 through which the relay R10 is energised. This relay closes the contact R101), by which it is maintained in the energised condition through the contacts R6-3c to R11-3c normally closed, and closes the contact R10a, which has no effect at this instant.

The perforation 11, which is in the same column of the card, is then scanned, whereby the relays R11-3, R11-5 and R11-7 are temporarily energised. The relay R11-3 closes the contact R11-3a, which has no effect since the line LB9 is not under voltage. The contact Rl1-3b is reversed, which has no effect because the contact R7-2b, which is reversed by the energised relay R7-2, breaks the circuit by which the relay R11-2 would be energised. The lowering of the contact R11-3c breaks the circuit by which the relay R10 was maintained in the energised state. This relay therefore releases the contacts R101: and R1012, which were maintained closed thereby. The energisation of the relay R11-5 closes the contact Rll-Sa without effect, since the line LBS is not under voltage. The energisation of the relay R11-7 closes the contact R11-7a. Since the line LB7 is under voltage through the contact R7-2b which also maintains the relay R7-2 energised, the clo:ing of the contact R11-7a energises the relay R11-8, which closes the contacts R11-8a and Rll-Sb. The closing of the contact R11-8a establishes a holding circuit on the relay R118 through the cam contact C23, which is closed, and the closing of the selecting contact R11-8b will control the printing of the letter A from the following point of the cycle.

The scanning of a perforation 8 energises the relay R8-1, which closes the contact R8-1a, which energies the relay R82. This relay closes the contact RS-Za and reverses the contact R8-2b, which maintains the line LBS under voltage through the cam contact C20 and the contact R9-2b, which is normally closed. If a perforation 6, 5 0 or 11 is then scanned in the same column of the card, one of the relays R6-5, R11-5 is energised. The energised relay closes the corresponding contact R6-5a, R11-5a connected to the line LE8 under voltage. The closing of this contact energises the corresponding relay R6-6, R11-6 which closes its holding contact R6-6a, R11-6a, connected to the line LM2 under voltage through. the cam contact C23, and closes the character-selecting contact R6-6b, R11-6b which controls the printing of one of the letters, R, Q, P, N, M, L, K or of the letter J according to whether the second perforation scanned in the same column was a perforation 6, 5, 0 or 11. The scanning of one of these perforations also controls the energisation of one of the relays R6-3, R11-3. The energisation of one of these relays closes one of the contacts R6-3a, R11-3a, reverses one of the contacts R6-3b, R11-3b and lowers one of the contacts R6-3c, R11-3c. The lowering of one of the latter contacts breaks the circuit by which the relay R10 is maintained in the energised condition. If none of the perforations 6, 5, 4, 0, or 11 has been scanned after the scanning of a perforation 9, 8 or 7, the relay R10 is maintained in the energised condition and, on closing of the cam contact C21, the application of voltage to the line LM7 at the end of the point 11 of the cycle permits energisation of one of the relays R9-3, R7-3 by one of the contacts R9-2a, R7-2a which is closed owing to the scanning of a perforation 9, 8 or 7. Energisation of a relay R9-3, R7-3 results in closing of a holding contact R9-3a, R7-3a which controls the passage of the impulses controlling the printing of the figure 9, 8 or 7 corresponding to the scanned perforation. It has been relay R6-3, ..R11+3 which, on the flone'hand closes one ofthe contacts. R6 ,3a, ..R11-3a which energises a corresponding .relayiR6 u4, R114. gThis relay closes a holdingcontacLgR6-4a, R11-4a and closes one of :the character-selecting contacts 1 R6-4b,

.R11-4bwhich controlsethelprintinglof one of the letters Z, ,Y,:X, l,W, V, U, :Tlor. S. T he energisation of a relay R6-3, ..R11-3,.one:the othen hand,- lowers one of the contacts;R6,3b, R11 :3b. rIflno perforation:9,8-0r

7 has been scannedtbefore the tscanningof a perforation .6,;5,,.4, 0rl11, ,the contact R6 3b, R11-3b,

which has been lowered,v.energises a relay -R6- 2, 1111-2, which closes .one .of the -contactsi-'R6'2 a, RlI-Za, bywhich it. is held, and also closesa characterselecting contact 2R62b, .:R11-2b,..which controls the printing .of a=figure16, 5, 4, 0sorthewprintingof a dot in the case of the scanning of a perforation 11. The scanning of a perforation 6 to 11 after the scanning -of.a perforation 7, .which haslcaused voltag'e t o' be applied, to the line LE7, energises-oneof the relays *R6-7, .1R117. The energisation ofone of these-relays closes one of the contacts. R6-7a,'. R117a. One of therelays- R6+8, .1R11:8 is energised by the contact thus closed. The energised relay closes one of the holding contacts R68a, Ru -8a andaatcharacter-selecting contact. The characterrselecting, contact R68b, R11-8b which is thus closed controls the printing of the letter H, G,,F, E, D, C,.B or .A corresponding to the energised relay.

It will be understood that the (example describedis not limitative and that any modifications or substitutions may be made in accordance with the circumstances;and applications Without departingtfrom the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Printing machine for the printing of acharacter by printing a number of dots which together form the character, compriting a plurality of actuating members, a plurality of printing members each adapted to be actuated by a corresponding one of said actuating members when said actuating member is energized, an emitter comprising a number of emitter elements each adapted to emit from one pole of a source of electricity a series of impulses timed to correspond to the printing of a determined character, a selectively operated contact common to said plurality of actuating members and connected on the one hand to said plurality of actuating members and on the other hand to a corresponding one of said emitter elements, a cyclic operated commutator comprising a number of contact studs, each contact stud being connected to a corresponding one of said actuating members, said commutator being adapted to connect successively, in synchronism with the emission of said series of impulses from said emitter, each of said contact studs to the other pole of said source, and means for closing said common contact during said emission to print in succession dots of a selected character.

2. Printing machine for printing a character by printing a plurality of dots forming together the character, comprising a plurality of printing members with the printing ends of said members situated one adjacent to the other, a plurality of actuating members each for actuating, when energized, a corresponding one of said printing members, an emitter comprising a number of emitter elements each adapted to emit from one pole of a source of electricity a series of impulses timed to correspond to the printing in succession of the dots of a determined character, a selectively operated contact common to said plurality of actuating members and connected on the one hand to said plurality of actuating members and on the other hand toacorrespon'ding-one of said emitter elements a cyclic operated commutator; compris' 'ing a number of contact studs,-each contact stud being :connected-to a corresponding one of said actuating members, said commutator beingtadapted-to connect tosa id other pole of said source repeatedly in succession, said characterby-printingaplurality of'dots arranged in horizontal lines"and vertical-:rows, comprising a plurality ofprinting memberstwith the printing ends of said membersgsituated one adjacent to the other, a plurality of actuating memberseach for actuating, When'energised a corresponding-one of said printing members,: an emit- -.ter -comprising a number ,of emitter elements ,each

adaptednto emit from one pole of a source of electricity a series of impulses timed: to correspondto the printing 'of said dots successively for each of. said horizontal lines of a determined 'charactena selectively operated contact common to said plurality of actuating membersand connectedon the one hand tosaid pluralityof actuating membersaan d on the othershand to a corresponding one of said emitter elements, a cyclic operated commutator comprising a number of contact studs, each contact stud being connectedltofia corresponding one of said actuating -.members,.said commutator being adapted to connect in synchronismzwithithe emission of said series of impulses rfromisaid emitter each of said contact studs in succession to the other'tpole oflsaid source for the printing ofthe first ofsaidlines land to repeat saidsuccessive connection of'said actuating-members to .said other;pole of said .SOHIGjfOf each of' the other of said'horizontal linesof a characterlttorbet-printed, and means for;moving'-said support: so that said lines are; printed at a determined distance toone-another.

:4. Printing; machine operated in, cycles; for; simultanetouslyprintinga plurality, of. characters on a support comprising a plurality of printing devices, one for each character to be printed on a horizontal line, each printing device comprising a plurality of actuating members, a plurality of printing members with their printing extremities arranged on a horizontal line each printing mem ber adapted to be actuated by a corresponding one of said actuating members when said actuating member is energized, an emitter common to all of said devices, said emitter comprising a number of emitter elements each adapted to emit from one pole of a source of electricity a series of impulses timed to correspond to the energizing of said actuating members of one of said plurality of actuating members of a printing device a determined number of times during the cycle of the machine in such a manner that, each time a determined character is printed when the printing support is moved an equal and determined distance for each line printed, a plurality of selectively operated contacts for each printing device, one for each difierent character to be printed, each of said contacts being connected on the one hand to a corresponding emitter element and on the other hand to said plurality of actuating members, a cyclic operated commutator common to a plurality of said printing devices comprising a contact stud for each of said plurality of actuating members of a printing device, each contact stud being connected to a corres onding one of the actuating members of each of said printing devices, said commutator being adapted to conn ct in syn hroni m with the emission of said series of impulses from said emitter each of said contact studs in succession tothe other pole of said source for each of said horizontal lines of a character to be printed, and means for moving said support so that said lines are printed at a determined distance to one another.

5. Printing machine for the printing of a character on a support by printing a plurality of dots arranged in lines and rows, so as to form together a character comprising a plurality of printing members with the printing extremities of said printing members arranged on a line which forms an angle with the line to be printed, a plurality of actuating members each for actuating, when energized, a corresponding one of said printing members, an emitter comprising a number of emitter elements each adapted to emit from one pole of a source of electricity a series of impulses timed to correspond to the printing of said dots in succession for each of said horizontal lines of a determined character, a selectively operated contact common to said plurality of actuating members and connected on the one hand to said plurality of actuating members and on the other hand to a corresponding one of said emitter elements, a cyclic operated commutator comprising a number of contact studs, each contact stud being connected to a corresponding one of said actuating members, said commutator being adapted to connect in 'synchronism with the emission of said series of impulses from said emitter each of said contact studs in succession to the other pole of said source for the printing of one of said lines, and means for moving continuously said support in a direction vertical to said line to be printed with such a speed that the dots printed successively by said printing extremities are aligned on said line.

6. Printing machine for the printing of a character on a support by printing a plurality of dots arranged in horizontal lines and vertical rows, so as to form together a character comprising a plurality of printing members with the printing extremities of said printing members arranged each in a determined relation to a horizontal line, a plurality of actuating members each for actuating, when energized, a corresponding one of said printing members, an emitter comprising a number of emitter elemen s each adapted to emit from one pole of a source of electricity a series of impulses timed to correspond to the printing of said dots in succession for each of said horizontal lines of a determined character, a selectively rality of actuating members and on the other hand to a corresponding one of said emitter elements, a cyclic operated commutator comprising a number of contact studs, each contact stud being connected to a determined and distinct one of said actuating member, said commutator being adapted to connect in synchronism with the emission of said series of impulses from said emitter each of said contact studs in succession to the other pole of said source for the printing of one of said horizontal lines, and means for moving continuously said support in a direction vertical to said line to be printed with a determined speed, said speed, said determined relation and said connection between said commutator studs and said actuating member being such that the printed dots are aligned on each of said horizontal lines.

7. Printing machine as claimed in claim 4, with connecting means adapted to connect by one single detachable connection, said plurality of actuating members of each of said printing devices to said plurality of selec tively operated contacts each common to said plurality of actuating members.

8. Printing machine as claimed in claim 4, with connecting means for connecting the actuating members of one of said printing devices to the actuating members of another of said printing devices in order to print simultaneously the same characters by both said devices, said connecting means comprising one single connection, for instance one single plug connection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,065 Loop Sept. 6, 1938 2,659,652 Thompson Nov. 17, 1953 2,694,362 Paige Nov. 16, 1954 2,720,164 Braun Oct. 11, 1955 2,757,604 Von Glahn Aug. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 323,582 Italy Dec. 28, 1934 

